Posted by Raphael on Jan 31, 2014 in Personal | 0 comments

Dear Kingston,

Your mom and I took you to your first Kindergarten interview this last weekend. It was weird and I was somewhat reluctant to do it. I think to myself, “What kind of questions would they ask a preschooler?!” but I know the truth of the matter was that was likely that they wanted to meet your mom and dad — feel us out, see how involved we are with you.  Whatever, I did it, and I think I represented our family just fine.  Mom was quiet most of the time because she knew I was the loud mouth of the family who could sell ice to an eskimo by this time.

The teacher did ask one good question which stuck with me a bit, he asked “What are your expectations for the school to do for Kingston?”  I didn’t have to think long. I think we just wanted to find you a school that gives you the most opportunity to be who you want to be.

That’s what I told him. But I wanted to tell YOU so much more. So before I forget this thought, before God-forbid something happens to me…with the hopes that you might one day stumble across this message when you get older, dad just wanted to give you some advice on school as you are starting on this LOOONG 20+ year journey through your school years.  These don’t go in any order that makes sense I hope you know your dad by now:

1. Be whatever you want to be. Mom and dad (mom mostly because she probably can’t help herself hehe) may encourage you to try certain fields along the way we think might suit you. But at the end of the day, we would be proud of you no matter what you turned out to be in life. 2 caveats to that however….I don’t want you to be a lazy bum and no matter what field of choice you chose to be, I want you to be the BEST at it you can be.  Choose one thing you might be good at and put every effort you can into being good at it. That’s all I’d ask.
2. Always respond to people quickly and politely.  If you graduate school not remembering every academic detail you’ve been taught…that probably doesn’t bother me too much. You can always learn it again when you need to. But you can’t fix the impression you give others when you can’t answer people when they talk to you.
3. Listen to your teachers. For the most part they know what they are talking about. But don’t be afraid to question things once in a while too. Be nice, courteous and friendly to your teachers, but dad will always support you if you used your logic and mind to question something that doesn’t make sense to you. That SHOULD be the process of learning.
4. The “tough” teachers you hate today, may end up being the ones you appreciate most a decade from now. I didn’t learn anything from the teachers who let me skate by, but I remember the ones who taught me English, Statistics, Business Law, and that asshole ENG400 lecturer in college who nearly flunked me but managed to wake up my curious side.
5. Highschool will be a pain the ass when it comes to choosing your friends…think of it as a giant classroom on how to do it, because those that make the right choices will probably end up most successful. Learn how to get along with everyone. I’ve always admired those to ignored labels and could make friends with anyone…the smart ones, the weak ones, the athletes, the models, the odd ones, etc.  The better you become at avoiding the cliques, the more powerful you’ll be at tapping these same people for help someday in your career when you may need that special someone-you-know…the mechanic, the plumber, the air pilot, the restaurant chef owner, the club bouncer, etc.  One day you’re going to be proud you know all of them.
6. Take Home Economics rather than Auto shop. You see that awesome someone you’re fixating all your school time thinking about? Trust me, your ability to cook an awesome meal will likely impress that person more than your ability to change a car battery.
7. When you are able to…take subjects that will benefit you your whole life. While I’d be thrilled if you ended up great with Calculus or Organic Chemistry, I’d be equally thrilled if you ending up knowing how to balance your checkbook as well as your mom. In fact, learn that skill from you mom.
8. Learn how to use money. I realize that shouldn’t be what makes you happy, but certainly having a warm roof over your head comes at a price. Learn skills that will help you figure out how to pay for your daily living even if that just comes from basic math or accounting. Learn how to save it, but also learn how to use it properly so it generates more for you.
9. Learn how to sign contracts. Learn how to read them.
10. Learn from your grand-parents as much as you can. They may seem to be old in your eyes, but they each have experience, skills and wisdom that your mom and dad do not have. Your mom and dad might occasionally criticize them much as you criticize us…but many times they prove to be right.
11. Take up an instrument. Any instrument will do. I promise I won’t cringe unless it’s something stupid like a triangle or accordion.  Make a band with some friends. Best experiences I ever had in my life.
12. Mom and dad may inevitably seem uncool to you in terms of fashion. I know you’ll have to figure that part out for yourself. I want you to be yourself and find your own tastes. Trust me when I say it will be unavoidable you’ll someday look back at what you’re wearing now and go “what was I thinking?” But now is your chance to figure that out.
13. When given any chance to travel for school…do it.  If you have the opportunity to go to college overseas…do it.

You will stumble. You will make some mistakes. Your mom and dad may end up having to let you make some of those mistakes so that you can learn from them. But always know…we will always be here for you and we’re always proud of you.

Love,

Your much-younger version of Dad.